Myocardial ischemia: lack of coronary blood flow, myocardial oxygen supply-demand imbalance, or what?

Abstract

This opinionated article reviews current concepts of myocardial ischemia. Specifically, the historical background is briefly presented. Then, the prevailing paradigm of myocardial oxygen-supply-demand imbalance is criticized since demand is a virtual parameter that cannot be measured and data on measurements of myocardial blood flow and contractile function rather support matching between flow and function. Finally, a concept of myocardial ischemia that focusses on the reduction of coronary blood flow to below 8–10 µl/g per beat with consequences for myocardial electrical, metabolic, contractile and morphological features is advocated.